ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 17 June 1924, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPER A HOUSE TO-NIGHT. MARY BICKFORD AS “ROSITA.” The Opera House held a large audience last evening, -when the star attraction in a very fine programme presented was “Rosita.” Mary Pickford has been seen in many wonderful roles, but ishe has never been seen to better advantage than in this Spanish romance. “Rosita” is an entirely different story from anything Mary Pickford ever before has been identified with. The fact is Mary Pickford has grown up. A thrilling tale of Spanish romance is unfolded in swiftly moving scenes; glimpses of carnival and palatial splendour blended into a story of dramatic intensity interspersed with human frailties, comedy, intrigue, suspense and mounted on a production of gigantic proportions, abounding in melodrama and love. Rosita is not the usual accepted starring part, being one of many important roles in the story. The portrayal of these is in the hands of stars most (suitable to the enactment of the types. The story is one of compelling drama and romance, and boasts a cast of stars in addition to Maiy Pickford, including Holbrook Blinn, Irene Rich, George Walsh, Charles Belcher, Mme. Mathilde Comont, Frank Leigh, George Periolat, Bert Sprotte, Snitz Edwards, Mme de Bodamere, Phillipe de Lacey, Donald McAlpin, Doreen Turner, and others. “Rosita’' will be shown again this evening, and should not he missed. GRAND THEATRE— TO-NIGHT. “THE THIRD ALARM. ’ A very well satisfied audience saw the initial screening of “The Third Alarm” programme at ..the Grand Theatre last night. Conceded by experts to be one of the most thrilling scenes ever flung upon the screen is that of a veteran fire horse plunging through a seething wall of flame with a rider- on its back in the vividly dramatic climax of the great fireman’s melodrama, “The Third Alarm,” a master picture. The horse which takes part in this stirring episode is “Bullet,” oldest horse of the fire department of the city of Los Angeles. “Bullet” has been to more than a thousand fires* in his day. He is now more than twenty years old, and hag been retired and pensioned on an old farm fot almost five years. When he was required by the script of “The Third Alarm” to plunge through a wave of flames with a rider on his back—in the person of Ralph Lewis— and then haul and tug with a rope about his neck until Jie pulled a huge safe out of the blazing ruins and liberated a girl and boy from their perilous position, he went right about his job, and no questions asked. The comedy “Running Mild” kept the audience in on continual roar of laughter. The programme will be shown for the last time tonight. HUMPHREY BISHOP COMPANY. "When in Wellington Air. Humphrey Bishop was interviewed by the New Zealand Times, and a most interesting story of the varied and very unique experiences of the company was the result. At the conclusion of the interview 5 Mr. Bishop stated that he was always willing and pleased to interview any young people of talent having stage aspirations. A day or two later arrangements were made for him to see and hear the work of a Wellington girl who had been sweeping all before her at the competitions held' throughout.

the Dominion annually. The upshot was an engagement for the young lady. Miss Ngaire Phipson. She is possessed of great charm of personality and very delightful stage presence, and though essentially and naturally a very fine and most fascinating dancer, she is equally at home in song or recitation or concerted numbers. Mr. Bishop predicts a very brilliant future for Miss Phipson, who appears with the company here on Thursday next, 19th. The programme, which will be entirely hew, promises to be of exceptional merit. There will be two other newcomers, Harry Avondale, piano comedian, .and Lalie White, a brilliant soprano. Both are accomplished artists. New duets by Messrs. Kingsley and Jaffey, new song scenes by Louise Meadows and . the girls, new dances, new rags and harmonies by the ragtime quartette, new absurdities by the coniedians, more songs, etc., at the piano by Mahana Ney, and comedy sketches, etc., by Marie Crowther, Harry Avondale and Robert Roberts, new orchestral numbers and solos by Billy Tointon, the popular drummer, and it will be seen that the entertainment should 'be one of rare excellence. Box plan is at Everybody’s Sweet Shop.